A. This mare's signs of advanced labor are; Stomping in discomfort and chomping her jaws. She will often turn her head and look at her tummy when she is having a contraction. Another major sign is the neck and shoulder getting soaked in perspiration. (It is now almost dusk.)

B. When the advanced labor starts, they lie down. The wrinkles on her sides are from her tummy pressing against the ground, and the skin not being stretched as tightly after the loss of fluids when the water broke.

C. They then turn onto their side and push hard during the contractions. The foals feet are starting to show. Normally the two front feet come first, followed closely by the nose. In this picture she is resting in- between contractions.

D. The foal is almost born, and now that it's nose is free it is already capable of breathing on its own.

E. Even though this foal was not completely born, it was strong and healthy and moving its head and front legs. (Another mare was curious and came close to see the new foal, but should have been kept away from the area.)

F. This foal was trying to stand immediately, and as soon as it's back legs were free, it was up. (It's also common for foals to take a little while to build up their strength after being born, and to make many little attempts to stand before making it up on all four feet.)

G. This photo was taken only 20 hours after it was born. Both mare and long-legged colt are doing great. The colt is running and kicking up his heels, but stops to nurse every 7 to 10 minutes and then naps a short while after each nursing. It wakes up only to start the whole process over again: run, nurse and nap.